The Paleo Diet Is Actually Safe and Good For Health Or Not?

Medical Video: The Paleo Diet: Does It Work? | UCLA Center for Human Nutrition

The Paleolithic diet, also known as the paleo diet, makes use of the idea that diet like a prehistoric human ancestor is an effective and good way for health. The choice of food on this unique diet is limited to anything that can be hunted, provoked, or collected in prehistoric times. For example, such as meat, fish, and vegetables.

The basic theory of Paleo diets is that the increase in the incidence of disease in society is now caused by the agricultural revolution, which adds processed products such as butter and milk and chemicals such as preservatives and artificial sweeteners to the diet causing a number of chronic diseases and conditions , ranging from obesity to allergies. However, is the paleo diet safe for modern human health?

Which may or may not be eaten

This diet suggests that we go back to foods from meat and vegetables like the past. Specifically, diet encourages you to base your diet on food choices as below.

Meat
Fish or other seafood
Animal products (eggs and honey)
Vegetables and fruits
Nuts
Additional sources of fat (olive oil, coconut oil and avocado)

Then, this diet advises you to avoid high carbohydrate foods such as cereals, wheat, rice, potatoes, processed foods, and dairy products, salt, and processed oils.

Can you reduce the consumption of carbohydrates, whole grains and milk?

All grains, fruits, and vegetables are important fuels for brain and muscle activity. You really need to reduce the consumption of refined carbohydrates because there can be additional unhealthy ingredients and higher calories. However, the types of complex carbohydrates remain good for your body.

Consumption of milk is very important for the body because it is a source of calcium and vitamin D needed for bones. Paleo diets often say that milk can cause inflammation, but some studies show the opposite. Drinking milk can reduce signs of inflammation.

As for grains such as wheat and rice, Paleo diets say that grains can also cause inflammation and health problems. This is indeed possible in people with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

However, most research shows that eating whole grains can actually improve our health. In essence, removing grains from diet is a bad idea.

So, is the Paleo diet safe and healthy?

Switching from processed foods and carbohydrates to more fruits and vegetables has a good effect on the body and can help achieve weight loss. However, weight will not automatically go down by following this diet.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne are worried about the dangers of the Paleo diet, especially for those who are overweight and have symptoms of prediabetes or diabetes.

They conducted experiments on mice by comparing two groups, namely one group was given a diet with a high composition of low-carbohydrate fat (similar to the Paleo diet rule) and another with a normal composition.

The study stated that a group of mice with a composition of foods high in low fat carbohydrates, experienced increased body weight, insulin levels, and glucose intolerance after eight weeks. The increase in body weight was 15 percent and the fat mass doubled. This can increase the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), joint pain, diabetes, anxiety, and depression.

Paleo diets may have good potential for the body, but there is a risk of calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Both are important for maintaining bone health. Paleo diets also cause saturated fat intake far above the recommended level so that it can increase the risk of kidney disease and heart disease.

What should be done if you want to lose weight safely?

Instead of following a rigid diet, it's better to think about what small changes can be made at this time that have a good impact on health. Borrowing a simple concept from the Paleo diet, you can do the things below.